Awesome Dig in the Ice, possible Georgia Hat CW Plate

smokeythecat

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I decided to not go detecting today. So I didn't set the alarm. I knew it was going to be coolllddd today, so when I got up at 6:38, I knew I was done. After all, it was time to feed the cats. So by 7:30 I was out the door for a 115 mile drive to a Virginia site a lot of bullets and some buttons and a few plates and other stuff have come from. Now, in all reality, the place has been pounded. I was 2 hours behind the others who came. No biggie. I got out of the truck and went over to some ground I wanted to try. Not much but aluminum junk there.

I meandered over to my one hunting buddy and got a decent signal on the Deus, in the "70"'s. It was the base to a Williams Cleaner bullet. So at least I didn't have to go home empty handed. I walked around some big rocks and brush and got a little squeaky signal. It was a percussion cap down about 4-5".

I then decided to hunt in that general area. The guys were going all over the place, looking for a honey hole.

Third good target was a large size flat button, no backmark called a "basket weave" pattern. A button! From this hunted out site! Next came a small piece or two of lead, more aluminum, and another base to a Williams cleaner bullet. So I now feel it was worth the trip.

I started circling myself, and got a deep, "I'm not sure about this" kind of target, but I followed my own advice and started finding small rectangular pieces of old brass.

Well, I spent 45 minutes on that little hole, and the brass pieces fit together. It looks as though (best guess) due to the uniformity, the item was deliberately bent into a smaller rectangle and thrown down.

It would have been about 2.5" long, the entire top is there and rolled over on itself. There is a geometric pattern on the top piece.

The center section is a set of pillars, like on the Georgia State Seal buttons and plates. All the pieces fit together in this middle section. I only have one piece or so of the bottom.

It LOOKS LIKE a Georgia hat plate, kinda sorta, but the Georgia seal only has 3 pillars, this was a known Civil War battlefield, and Georgia troops were present. Just as I got done digging this and two whole aluminum cans within 6 inches of the "hat plate", I thought I had come up with another Confederate "I" button, but it was shotgun shell base that tricked me. It could just be the top to a snuff box or something. With that many pillars kind of also looks like the back to a Lincoln cent. Just wrong century.

I will take more pics in the am.

Can anyone put a positive ID on this lightweight brass plate? And of course rotate 90 degrees to the right. (clockwise) I'll get the better camera going soon, it doesn't do that.

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civilman1

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I can't put a positive I.D on it Smokey but it kind of look's like it has more of a "floral" design for a Ga. hat or shako badge :dontknow: Sure would be nice if you're right. Can't wait for more info :thumbsup:
 

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smokeythecat

smokeythecat

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Civilman1, there is a floral design on the top for sure. I may try to unbend it, it will snap further if I do. Those arches reminded me of the Lincoln memorial, but that hadn't been built or thought of yet. It was still a thrill pulling it out of the ground, whatever it is.
 

Digger RJ

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Nice!!! Congrats!!!
 

A2coins

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Sounds like a fun day always good to follow your instincs on those iffy signals good job interested to see what that turns out to be. You are a true treasure hunter my friend. Tommy
 

Calabash Digger

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You bring home the goods !
 

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smokeythecat

smokeythecat

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The two AT MAX's, the two Equinox 800's and the 3030 missed it! We were all for awhile, at any rate, all over this little piece of land. And I missed it the first day out a few weeks ago. There were two large pieces of iron on one side of it, 8" away and a smashed aluminum can, size of a potted meat food can, 6" on the other side of it.
 

Whyme

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Nice find! I hope you can ID it. Congrats on the button! :icon_thumleft:
 

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smokeythecat

smokeythecat

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I have looked at as many sources as possible, and now do not think it is military, however, I believe 100% it was lost at the time of the battle.
 

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Nice story, glad you got out today! :occasion14:

Getting up early in the morning only fuels the desire to detect! :headbang:
 

Bharpring

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That is an interesting set of brass pieces. I love finding stuff like this even if it not military. Great job.
 

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smokeythecat

smokeythecat

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I'm going to try to reassemble it tomorrow.
 

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smokeythecat

smokeythecat

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It has been annealed and straightened out as much as possible. I am painstakingly recreating it in proper order. Should be done soon. I'm using the black background of the bottom of a small Riker mount and Elmer's glue to attach it, then will put a spacer around the edge and the glass on top for a 3D style mount. Give me a couple hours.
 

Monet4sky

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Beautiful....
 

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smokeythecat

smokeythecat

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All sorted and glued out, now where did I put the piece of the new camera to connect it to the computer to download the pic? That's me!
 

Kona Koma

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Cool find. Great perservence. Patience pays off.
 

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smokeythecat

smokeythecat

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Several pieces had to be annealed, so they are the reddish ones. Ideas? DSCN0030.JPG
 

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